Edwyn Collins: Losing Sleep (Shock)

Graham Reid | Dec 5, 2010 | 1 min read

Edwyn Collins: Searching for the Truth

Scotland's Orange Juice fronted by
singer-songwriter Edwyn Collins only had one persuasive album (You
Can't Hide Your Love Forever in '82) and one UK hit (Rip It Up
from the album of the same name, also in '82) but their arch, often
ironic and non-threatening pop has recently occasioned a 6CD/DVD collection, a
reflection of the high regard in which they were held.

Since they split in '85, Collins has
made interesting albums but in '05 suffered a cerebral hemorrhage
which left him literally speechless, and this is his first new album
since – which explains songs which ask “what is my role?”, say
“I can do it again”, and announce “it's good to be here”.

With sterling assistance from members
of Magic Numbers, Franz Ferdinand and the Drums as well as Johnny
Marr, Roddy Frame and others, Collins sounds well into a
recovery-comeback with this crisp pop-rock. His former coy and ironic
position is now replaced by an unvarnished honesty: “I'm losing
dignity, I'm insecure” and “I must admit I'm changing and now I
know the simple things make my world go round”.

There's sharp pop-rock here where
Collins' dark voice sounds assured (the dramatic, emotional I
Still Believe in You) and some Scottish faux-soul (Over the
Hill), but the two closing ballads – about fear, acceptance and
belief – are heartbreakingly beautiful in their eloquent
simplicity.

This astringent Scottish singer-songwriter and former Arab Strap member appeared at Elsewhere previously with his excellent album A Brighter Beat, the opening track of which was the brittle but... > Read more

At this point in their long and rather marvellous career I'm as sure as the various Tindersticks that they're never going to gatecrash into wider public consciousness, despite hypnotic and melodic... > Read more

Right from the opening bars here - a repeated keyboard figure like Baba O'Riley and a crashing power chord - Pete Townshend puts you on notice that the sonic power of The Who, now just him and... > Read more

Meredith Monk's ethereal vocal music often seems to exist between the chapel and the arthouse, at home being bookended by a choral group and Laurie Anderson.
Over the decades her work has... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

Because of their temporary nature and
purpose, band and music posters are often an ignored art form.
Not all such posters are artistic
however, most are just fit-for-purpose: name, date,... > Read more

Many years ago Rhino Records -- a reissue label out of LA -- put out a booklet-cum-CD package of old soul and funk with an eating theme, specifically food for barbecues.
Tracks on the CDs... > Read more